Pier to Pier Challenge Overview
- Event: Coastal charity walk with a twist
- Purpose: Fundraising and awareness for Spinal Injuries Ireland
- Distance: Approx. 25 km (route dependent)
- Estimated walking time: Approx. 7.5 hours (including breaks)
- Start time: Meet 8:30am; depart 9:00am (start in Dún Laoghaire or Howth Harbour)
- Target finish time: 5:00pm (finish in Howth Harbour or Dún Laoghaire)
What is the Pier to Pier Challenge?
Pier to Pier for Peer to Peer is a sponsored team challenge that supports SII’s Peer-to-Peer Programme as well as its other vital services.
This is no ordinary walk. On the day, SII will provide wheelchairs for students to use. TY students will work in teams, taking turns to sit in the chair and to assist classmates along the route. The experience mirrors the spirit of our Peer-to-Peer Programme—learning what it means to support, encourage, and rely on one another during moments of challenge.
Our Peer-to-Peer network connects people who have sustained spinal cord injuries with others who have lived through the same experience. That simple message of “I’ve been where you are” can make a real difference to recovery and resilience.
To deepen this connection, one of our staff members and a service user can visit your school in advance to share their story, explain SII’s work, and highlight the power of peer support.
Fundraising & recognition
- Each student is asked to raise €100 to participate.
- Every participant will receive a turquoise SII T-shirt to wear on the day.
- Students who raise over a target will be entered into a draw for One4All gift card prizes.
- We’ll celebrate the school and its students on SII’s social media channels, highlighting their efforts and teamwork.
- Cheque Presentation after.
This event combines empathy, teamwork, and leadership and gives TY students a practical insight into the importance of peer support. If your school would like to take part, we’ll arrange the school visit and provide all fundraising materials.
Watch our Pier to Pier Challenge on YouTube
Testimonials
“The Pier to Pier challenge is a hands-on event that fits perfectly with our school vision to ‘form men (people) for others’. We have a unique insight to what SII do as one of our past pupils, Jonathan Ranson, suffered a spinal injury and he has been selfless and courageous in his recovery by giving us first hand insights to what life is like for people who acquire a spinal injury and navigate the associated challenges this brings.
The Pier to Pier challenge allowed our students engage with this reality by seeking to practically understand what life can be like in a wheelchair and also raise much needed funds for the ongoing work of SII. We cannot recommend this programme enough as a way to give perspective to all in life. Thanks to SII for all they do and being a charity partner for Belvedere College.”
– Pádraig Swan, Director of Faith and Service Programmes, Belvedere College SJ
“The event was fun and interactive, but gave the students an invaluable insight into the life of a person with a spinal injury. Before the event, we met with service users from SII to hear about their stories. The students were inspired by the bravery but shocked by a world in which they had no knowledge or experience. The team from SII showed our Transition Years patience, understanding, kindness and opened their eyes.”
– Kieran Greene, TY Coordinator, Chanel Catholic College, Dublin
“I’m surprised it hasn’t been done sooner. To get into schools to raise awareness, because it’s not something that maybe everybody is aware of if you’re not linked to it in some way or if you don’t know someone who’s linked to it, it mightn’t be something on your radar, so it was great to raise awareness. Our students have gone around our campus with the same kind of lens, looking for places that may just be that little bit more inconvenient and they’ve started to spot things, so the conversations have started. Far too many parts where everybody had to stop or go around, or even just think about their route, when the people beside them can just keep stepping. I’m delighted we took part, I really am.”
– Tara Sharkey, TY Coordinator, Wesley College Dublin
Interested in taking part in our Pier to Pier Challenge?
Pier to Pier Challenge
